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WMA · South region
Somerset Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Steele County.
Photo: Chad Davis. (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Somerset Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Somerset Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Daniel C. Gainey Conference CenterParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- ParkParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
What the file says about Somerset WMA
Somerset WMA adds 439 acres of public ground to Steele County. Line up the 11 wildlife management areas in Steele County by acres and Somerset WMA comes 3rd. Its deer permit area is 232; the 2026 designation there is 3-deer limit.
DNR runs Somerset WMA from its Owatonna area office; email owatonna.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Somerset WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
In DNR's words: The oldest section of this WMA protects a stand of old growth lowland hardwoods with oxbow ponds and the river running through it. Through the years conservation groups including the Steele County Chapter of Minnesota Pheasants, Inc., Owatonna Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, Pheasants Forever, Inc., Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and The Trust for Public Land are responsible for additions to the area through various partnerships including the Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match program, Conservation Legacy grants and Outdoor Heritage Fund.
Species on the record: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Somerset Wildlife Management Area
Somerset WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Somerset WMA; the map pins its 2 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset WMA | 439 | Owatonna | Open | 2 | DNR |
- Somerset WMA: From Owatonna, go 1 mile S. on CSAH 45 then 1.25 miles W. on CSAH 18 then 0.5 mile S. on a trail to a parking area on the west side of the trail. Access is via a frontage road along I35. There is no public road access to the state land that lies west of the river. No motorized vehicles are allowed beyond the parking lot.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Somerset WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Somerset WMA.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Regular seasons |
| Vehicles | Designated roads, lots |
| Target shooting | Not allowed |
| Guns in transit | Cased, unloaded |
| Camping | Designated or permit |
| Portable stands, blinds | Remove daily |
| Overnight stands, northwest | Nov 1-Dec 31 |
| Dogs | Leash Apr 16-Jul 14 |
| Drones | Not allowed |
| Gear left overnight | Not allowed |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Somerset WMA and deer permit area 232
The 2026 designation for DPA 232 is 3-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 232 allows 3 deer, so bonus permits come into play after the first deer.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD sampling in DPA 232 is voluntary. The DPA covers 381 square miles. DPA 232 counties: Steele, Waseca, Rice and Le Sueur.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Somerset WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Somerset WMA (44 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 232 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 232 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 232 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring archery-only | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period A | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period B | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period C | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period D | Statewide | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period E | Statewide | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period F | Statewide | May 19, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Rabbits, hares | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Jackrabbit | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (north) | North furbearer zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (south) | South furbearer zone | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
Waterfowl rows show the North, Central and South zones because DNR draws those lines on highways (MN 210/23/39, US 212/I-494/I-94), not by unit; check the DNR map.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
DPA 232 harvest, the area around Somerset WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 232 totals (745 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Somerset WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 389 | 356 | 745 | 1.98 |
| 2024 | 434 | 339 | 773 | 2.05 |
| 2023 | 424 | 381 | 805 | 2.14 |
| 2022 | 387 | 331 | 718 | 1.91 |
| 2021 | 332 | 311 | 643 | 1.71 |
| 2020 | 348 | 349 | 697 | 1.85 |
| 2019 | 366 | 282 | 648 | 1.72 |
| 2018 | 300 | 318 | 618 | 1.64 |
| 2017 | 311 | 290 | 601 | 1.60 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Somerset WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Somerset WMA and its parking; Little Fawn WMA is the nearest neighbor at 5.4 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Fawn WMA | WMA | 20 | 232 | 5.4 mi | west |
| Prairie Rose WMA | WMA | 118 | 232 | 6.5 mi | north |
| Swan WMA | WMA | 238 | 232 | 7.0 mi | northwest |
| Aurora WMA | WMA | 896 | 232, 233 | 7.8 mi | southeast |
| Waseca WMA | WMA | 303 | 232 | 8.6 mi | west |
| Pederson WPA | WPA | 11 | 232 | 9.1 mi | west |
| Felber WPA | WPA | 247 | 232 | 9.1 mi | west |
| Pheasants Forever, Inc. WPA | WPA | 43 | 232 | 9.2 mi | west |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Steele County adds to a Somerset WMA trip
Somerset WMA is one of 17 public places we list in Steele County. Feeding ban: Steele County is inside it. Bear licenses in Steele County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 503. Area wildlife office: Owatonna Area Wildlife Office ((507) 414-6200). Do not mistake Somerset WMA for closed Steele County ground such as Chapa-kak-say-za Wildlife Management Area and Clinton Falls Dwarf Trout Lily Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Supplies and help close to Somerset WMA
From Somerset WMA the nearest town is Owatonna (3.9 mi). On the DNR record, the reference town is Owatonna. DNR staff closest to Somerset WMA work out of Owatonna (11 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owatonna | Steele | 26,626 | 3.9 mi | north |
| Medford | Steele | 1,362 | 9.0 mi | north |
| Ellendale | Steele | 658 | 12 mi | south |
| Waseca | Waseca | 9,067 | 13 mi | west |
| Claremont | Dodge | 499 | 13 mi | east |
Towns from the 2024 Census gazetteer and population estimates; offices and businesses from services.json (DNR and business listings, chain stores and license agents left out); straight-line miles. Checked October 28, 2026.
Range options on the drive to Somerset Wildlife Management Area
Dakota County has the public range nearest Somerset Wildlife Management Area: Archer Park – Archery Range (51 miles). Two club ranges follow. The property rules exclude target shooting.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Somerset WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Somerset WMA: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset for deer and bear, and to sunset for turkey, waterfowl and small game.
| Day | Season point | Sun up | Sun down | Shooting opens | Deer close | Bird close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:55 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 7:05 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:20 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:57 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:24 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:48 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:33 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. | 8:24 p.m. | 7:54 p.m. |
Raccoon and fox may be hunted at night under DNR rules.
Hours rule from the DNR booklet shooting hours page; sun times calculated for the unit point (NOAA method, Central Time); checked October 28, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Photos to set the scene for Somerset WMA
Somerset WMA questions answered from its record
What animals can be hunted at Somerset WMA?
Deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove, according to the agency page for Somerset WMA.
How do hunters reach Somerset WMA?
From Owatonna, go 1 mile S. on CSAH 45 then 1.25 miles W. on CSAH 18 then 0.5 mile S. on a trail to a parking area on the west side of the trail. Lots mapped: 2.
Who holds title to Somerset WMA?
Land manager for Somerset WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Owatonna office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Somerset WMA?
DPA 232 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Somerset WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Somerset WMA run 6:27 a.m. to 5:27 p.m..
If Somerset WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Little Fawn WMA (5.4 mi), Prairie Rose WMA (6.5 mi) and Swan WMA (7.0 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Somerset WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Somerset WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Somerset WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Somerset WMA in 2026-27?
Yes, in the regular seasons. Read the special restrictions on the DNR page and watch for posted refuge areas.
How many acres of hunting does Somerset WMA offer?
439 acres.
What DPA is Somerset WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 232 (200 series, 3-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
Other photos on this page: Joshua Mayer (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).